September 2007

I arrived in Perth, the capital of Western Australia at 9.05 pm on the 28th Sept. After browsing through the duty free shop in the Airport in Perth, I bought, 2 bottles of Rum, and a bottle of Gin. Was very quick through the custom and quarantine as I have nothing to declare!

Woke up at 8.30am the next day and went to City to drop my brother off work in West Perth. He is with the travel agent, selling outbound air ticket, and holiday packages..

* Shot were taken with my BlackBerry 8300 Curve

Then, I took the car and drove to visit my James and Carol who stayed in Drakes Apartments in Mill Point Road in South Perth. After visiting them, I went to Hungry Jacks, (known as Burger King anywhere else except Australia) and got myself a whopper meal. Took away the whopper meal and drove the car to the Swan River at Mill Point Road and had my breakfast! This is what I missed a lot when I was in Malaysia. Also when I was a student here, I used to eat by the river, meat pie, yum yum! sausage rolls!

The temperature is so mild, approx. 14 degrees and munching my whopper while enjoying the scenery of City.

* Shot were taken with my BlackBerry 8300 Curve

While, sitting there having my breakfast and enjoying the beautiful view of the city, 2 sea gulls came to me, I dislike them! They are waiting to be fed which I refused! If you gonna give, be prepared for the whole group of 30 birds surrounding you! haha!

And was walking back to the car and saw this nice wild flowers on the roadside, I thought to myself, yea! its spring now..

Sorry for the soft image as it was taken from my phone.. BlackBerry 8300

It was nice driving around Perth that day, and I saw an accident, which I think its pretty bad as there were fire trucks, police and ambulance.

These were on the way one of the Highways. I just hope and pray that he or she will be ok…

I passed by a fish and tackle shop, and took this photo, while I stopped at the red light! I want to take up deep sea fishing soon.. it might be a good idea to have a look at the rods and reels.. Emm.. Will start this hobby probably next year..

Later in the evening, I was invited by James and Carol for dinner with their family and friends in Capriccio Italian Restaurant. Its a little cossy Italian Restaurant in Northbridge. The food there is yummy and of course its authentic! We had Supreme Pizza, Spagetti Marinara, Spagetti Cabonara, Salads, wines and the lot!

Got back about 9.04pm as my parking ticket expires by then. Most of their guesses also leave by then. I will have an early start for Carol and James’ Wedding the next day! 30 Sept.

*** all the shots here are taken from my BlackBerry 8300 Curve

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Malaysia Airlines is bloody amazing! Delayed again.. I suppose to depart Kuching at 11.10am flight from Kuching on the 28th Sept, and arrive in Singapore at 12.40pm for my connecting flight to Perth, Australia at 3.50pm the same day. Initially I thought of booking Air Asia to Johor, and my travel agent advised me not to as she is worried that Air Asia might be delayed and its risky for my connecting flight to Australia.

Listened to them, I paid 4 times more for my flight from Kuching direct to Singapore and used MAS instead. All I can say is I am very very dissapointed in Malaysia Airlines!!! Guys if you all have the chance, don’t use Malaysia Airlines! Upon checking in for my 11.10am flight, the agent in the airport told me that your aircraft has been “retime” to 12 noon. I was annoyed, telling her that its not “retime” its delayed! They wanted it to sound better,  but its still late!

I was a bit worried for my connecting flight, which will be leaving at 15.50 hrs that afternoon. But working out of the timing, departing at 12noon and  arriving in Singapore at 1.30pm which is not too bad, I still have time for a stroll at Changi Airport.

I was at the departure lounge at 11.20am and saw the aircraft arrive at 11.30pm. I thought to myself. Good, it should be on time then.. should be able to leave at 12 noon! yay!

Waiting, waiting and finally they made the call for boarding.. at 12noon.. which is not too bad.. seated in the plane at 12.10pm, buckle my seat belt. Waited again, and at 12.30pm the aircraft, still not moving.. and finally at 12.45pm, the Captain made an annoucement, “This is Captain Chew Speaking, on behalf of Malaysia Airlines, we apologise for the delay in the late arrival of this aircraft from Kota Kinabalu” ok I thought, now get it moving!!! as I am dead worry that I will miss my connecting flight! He continued, “At the moment, the aircraft is experiencing some problem with the External Power, and our Engineering team is working on it, we apologise for the inconvenience caused!” he continued, “we will be leaving as soon as they solve the problem”

My goodness, there is no commitment on the departing time from here.. and its was 12.55pm. In my mind, I was working the on the time, if the aircraft were to leave at 1 pm, then we shall arrive in Singapore at 2.30pm its will be very very rush for my connecting flight.. at 3.50pm, need to take the luggage, and check out, pass the custom and check in again, (as this is different airlines I am using)

After the cold sweat and heart attacks! finally the captain announced, “Cabin crew, cross check all doors” Phew! Sigh! it was 1.10pm and the aircraft took off at 1.15pm and landed in Singapore at 2.45pm. I have 1 hour to, take my luggage from the conveyor belt, go through the custom in Singapore, rush to the next terminal, check in, and board the plane, all in less than ONE HOUR. This is again very subjective, it depends on whether the next airline’s gate is still open for me!

I ran and reached the other terminal at 3pm, check in, and board the aircraft at 3.20pm, the moment I step into the aircraft, the Cabin Crew, closed the aircraft door and the plane reverse! I hate this very much! I am always on time, and I missed all the stroll that I love so much in Changi Airport, all I knew was,  running across these nice outlets of shops! Again, Malaysia Airlines, a lot of people have been complaining on your punctuality, why can’t the Senior Management act on it! Its so so common these days!

Met my group of friends in the aircraft, already seated in the plane, asked me Alvin, why so late, “I thought you were taking MAS, ( they took Air Asia to JB) I told them the bloody MAS delayed again! They said, “Phew! luckily Air Asia is on time!” and they joke with me, “Haha! you paid so much more and this is happening!!??, asked you to take Air Asia with us, and you refused “

I arrived in Perth around 9.05pm from my flight via Singapore. The flight from Singapore to Perth is on time. No doubt about it, that is why you see the Airlines in Singapore is progressing on the upward trend, well, the airlines started together as a company - MSA, they splited and one company is making its mark above most airlines in the world, went through all the extra miles, well, MAS, is still struggling! Look at the difference! I suppose it’s run by idiots! Wake up and act on it! All my trips with MAS- 95% of it has been delayed! This is a genuine customer feedback!

For my trip back to Kuching, I am booked on Silk Air, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines. Will see how is the service!

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The last time we did a make over was briefly more than 2 and half years ago with The Sarawak Tribune, under the programme, “Bold and Beautiful”. Initially we started with a few professional partners dealing with hairstylist, boutique and image consultant under the programme “Looking Your Best”. This programme however has been discontiued.

A few weeks ago, the thought of bringing the ‘makeover’ programme came to me again as I thought it would be fun and our 1st model who participate in this, is Samantha Poh. She is also a friend of mine. So we took the before shot of her and then our in-house make up artist Carol, did wonders on her look.

Samantha Poh is a Law student at SEGI College Kuching. She was born and raised in Kuching and has resided there for over 20 years. As an only child for a decade, Samantha spent most of her time by herself learning things on her own. In order to please her parents, Samantha chose a future concerning science. She entered the science stream for acceptance. Eventually, she realized that science really wasn’t at all for her. Samantha told her teacher she wanted to study mass communication during her last year at school. Her relatives found the idea absurd and tried persistently to change her perceptive. So what was left of her gave in and said “What about law?”

From then on, she has learned liberty in her books and is prepared to continue fighting for more. Samantha thinks very highly of those who live their lives to the fullest. Samantha idolizes John Goddard and spends her leisurely hours blogging, cooking or baking, going for a 30 minute jog and watching television. She enjoys dining to her satisfaction and also wishes to travel around the world. Another interest she has is to take up a second degree in time to come. Samantha sees the world as a competitive place to survive in and that it is important to make a mark, to contribute to the world before one departs.

Here’s are some shots of Sam. This is the shot we did when she just came in to our studio.

The “Before” shot..

The “After” shot…

the different look..

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